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Location notes
A classic shot of the West Coast Main line opposite the Oxford Canal. Situated on the WCML between Rugby and Nuneaton this line is the main route avoiding Birmingham. The location has picked up the tag of Ansty, in actual fact the location is only a couple of hundred yards from the former Shilton station.
Railway type and traffic
Plenty of Pendolinos and Voyagers also the as required Virgin Trains MkIII hauled service.
A fair amount of diesel and electric freight from DB Schenker, Freightliner, DRS, GBRf and also Colas.
A fair amount of diesel and electric freight from DB Schenker, Freightliner, DRS, GBRf and also Colas.
Environment
Very open and exposed to the elements, there is next to no shelter at the location and it is a reasonalble walk back to the car.
Road directions
From the M6, junction 2:
Take the B4065 north, signposted Shilton and Ansty, and follow the road along. After about 1 mile there is a turning on the right, sign posted as the Ansty Golf Club, this is the B4029 take this road and then park at one of the parking options.
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Shilton, Ansty Canal map co-ordinates
Take the B4065 north, signposted Shilton and Ansty, and follow the road along. After about 1 mile there is a turning on the right, sign posted as the Ansty Golf Club, this is the B4029 take this road and then park at one of the parking options.
Click here to set up your location for directions to this location
Shilton, Ansty Canal map co-ordinates
Parking
There are a number of options:
Park on the Oxford Canal bridge on the B4029 and then make your way down to the tow path and walk along to the location.
Further down the B4029 there are a set of metal gates protecting a field, park here taking care not to obstruct the gates and walk across the track in the field.
There used to be a parking area on Nettle Hill Road, just prior to the M6 passing overhead. Although this access point still exists the local landowner has made access to the tow path difficult with trenches dug and mounds of earth blocking sections. It would certainly be best to avoid using this area to park.
Park on the Oxford Canal bridge on the B4029 and then make your way down to the tow path and walk along to the location.
Further down the B4029 there are a set of metal gates protecting a field, park here taking care not to obstruct the gates and walk across the track in the field.
There used to be a parking area on Nettle Hill Road, just prior to the M6 passing overhead. Although this access point still exists the local landowner has made access to the tow path difficult with trenches dug and mounds of earth blocking sections. It would certainly be best to avoid using this area to park.
Public transport
De Courcey Travel routes 74/75 operate hourly between Coventry and Nuneaton via Ansty and Shilton. You can alight in either village to walk to the location.
Click here to set up your location for directions to this location
Click here to set up your location for directions to this location
Amenities
There are pubs in both Shilton & Ansty, one in each. A chip shop 3 miles away in Bulkington. If you are really desperate there is a McDonalds on the A4600 into Coventry about 2 miles away.
Sun Compass
Sun Compass using Suncalc by brought to you by Vladimir Agafonkin:
It might be necessary to adjust the time to suit your visit, this link should open with the current day.
Shilton, Ansty Canal
Streetmap links
Shilton, Ansty Canal general view map
Shilton, Ansty Canal close up map
Windows Local Live Link - image quality may vary
Shilton, Ansty Canal
It might be necessary to adjust the time to suit your visit, this link should open with the current day.
Shilton, Ansty Canal
Googly map
Shilton, Ansty Canal general view map
Shilton, Ansty Canal close up map
Windows Local Live Link - image quality may vary
Shilton, Ansty Canal
Who likes this location on facebook
Railway Gen Group
Photographic notes
The location favours mid afternoon shots as it is only by this time that the sun has come round to be on the right side and on the nose for north bound workings. However the light remains good right up until sunset as there is little, in the way of hills, to the west to cast shadows.
If you are really lucky you might get a passing canal boat at the same time as a passing train.
Rail-net GWRB tour 2004 - AnstyIf you are really lucky you might get a passing canal boat at the same time as a passing train.
General views - All photographs © Scott Borthwick unless otherwise stated
Fig 1 - Looking south west
Fig 2 - Looking south west
Fig 3 - Looking south west
Fig 4 - Looking south west
Fig 5 - Looking north - Photo by Marcus Dawson
At the far end of the location there is a small viaduct
Fig 6 - Looking north east - Photo by Marcus Dawson
The going away shot over the viaduct
Disclaimer
All information contained within this is site is © Trainspots. The images used on this site remain the property of the original photographer, as credited at the top of the page, and are used with their kind permission.
The information on these pages is supplied for the benefit of railway enthusiasts who carry out a harmless hobby, and through the medium of photography and video, actually promote the railway industry. Railway enthusiasts can also act as eyes and ears against railway vandalism, and as such should surely be encouraged to do so by the supply of adequate information such as is found on this website.
This site has been created to assist railway photographers in their travels around the country. It is based on the personal knowledge and experience. No liability can be held against the web site or its contributions for incorrect information. Trainspots will endeavour to check all information and corrections will be accepted and posted accordingly.
Advice as to the locations general environment is given as a guide on each page. This information is a GUIDE only. ALWAYS be careful with your equipment, Trainspots can not be held responsible for your personal security. Avoid leaving your property on display for all to see, be aware of your surroundings at all times. There are, sadly, people who will not think twice about trying to steal your equipment.
Trainspots DOES NOT condone trespass and none of the information on this site should be taken as a right to trespass on either railway or private land. To the best of our knowledge all locations are publicly accessible areas, where they are not contact information will be given to the appropriate authority for permission to be obtained.
The content of this site is created and intended for all age ranges but the content of sites linked from this site are not subject to the same intentions. Trainspots will attempt to check links for validity but as time passes and the site grows this will not always be possible. Broken, or indeed updates to, links should be submitted to the editor for inclusion in the updates. All links external to the Trainspots site are opened in a new browser window. Trainspots has been running now for over 10 years and there are imitation sites and guides to railfotspots. But we are a free site and we continue on the path we started out on over a decade ago to provide a useful guide to UK Railway Photographic Locations.
The information on these pages is supplied for the benefit of railway enthusiasts who carry out a harmless hobby, and through the medium of photography and video, actually promote the railway industry. Railway enthusiasts can also act as eyes and ears against railway vandalism, and as such should surely be encouraged to do so by the supply of adequate information such as is found on this website.
This site has been created to assist railway photographers in their travels around the country. It is based on the personal knowledge and experience. No liability can be held against the web site or its contributions for incorrect information. Trainspots will endeavour to check all information and corrections will be accepted and posted accordingly.
Advice as to the locations general environment is given as a guide on each page. This information is a GUIDE only. ALWAYS be careful with your equipment, Trainspots can not be held responsible for your personal security. Avoid leaving your property on display for all to see, be aware of your surroundings at all times. There are, sadly, people who will not think twice about trying to steal your equipment.
Trainspots DOES NOT condone trespass and none of the information on this site should be taken as a right to trespass on either railway or private land. To the best of our knowledge all locations are publicly accessible areas, where they are not contact information will be given to the appropriate authority for permission to be obtained.
The content of this site is created and intended for all age ranges but the content of sites linked from this site are not subject to the same intentions. Trainspots will attempt to check links for validity but as time passes and the site grows this will not always be possible. Broken, or indeed updates to, links should be submitted to the editor for inclusion in the updates. All links external to the Trainspots site are opened in a new browser window. Trainspots has been running now for over 10 years and there are imitation sites and guides to railfotspots. But we are a free site and we continue on the path we started out on over a decade ago to provide a useful guide to UK Railway Photographic Locations.
